New Portlaoise courthouse and Laois bypasses await Government announcement

Laois is about to learn if urgent infrastructure projects will be parked again for the next five years.

The Northern Orbital ring road in Portlaoise, Portlaoise Courthouse, Mountmellick's double bypass and new Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) infrastructure in Laois are all hanging on the Government's decision to include them in the new National Development Plan 2026 - 2030. The plan is done but all listed projects are not yet revealed.

Fine Gael's Cllr Conor Bergin from the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District wants an answer either way.

He tabled a motion to the January meeting of Laois County Council, asking the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers to clarify how much Laois is getting and for what projects.

"The review was announced before Christmas, €275 billion in public capital investments, the largest in the state's history. About €102bn for capital spending over the next four years. Some major national projects have been mentioned. The metrolink, the energy and water sectors, but I'm talking specifically about Laois.

"We've had many motions calling on the Government to deliver Portlaoise Courthouse, the Mountmellick bypass, the Portlaoise Northern Orbital Route (PNOR) and Irish Water infrastructure. We need to know where it's at. The announcment is short on specifics.

"Unless it's in the National Development Plan, it's not going to happen. I worked in Leinster House, the Minister for Justice doesn't have a say. They refer to the OPW, but as with roads unless it's in the NDP, we'll be here for the next four years waiting," Cllr Bergin said.

"Traffic will be heavier, there will be more pressure on the courthouse, it's important they come back with an answer, and not a watery response," he said.

Cllr John King seconded Cllr Bergin's motion.

"The same message should be sent to all our Oireachtas members to raise this in the Dáil," he said.

Cllr James Kelly also from the same district, said that "the Government knows, the Minister knows" that Laois County Council has sent submissions and made representations calling for the new roads and courthouse.

"Harris as Taoiseach had said Mountmellick was to be a priority overall because of the volume of traffic. The new courthouse should have been in, it's a failure of the Government to put it in. The different Ministers and Governments have not delivered. We've been talking about these for years and still nothing, I'm very disappointed," he said.

Cllr Tommy Mullingan told Cllr Bergin "they're your party, your friends, they're the ones have all the political say. The decision lies with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Lobby your TDs," he said, referring to Fine Gael Deputy Willie Aird and Fianna Fáil Deputy Sean Fleming.

"As a member of a party that's in Government, there's noone more disappointed than me," Cllr Bergin agreed.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said that "huge chunks of land" in Portlaoise have to be rezoned to build the PNOR, hand in hand, from the Mountmellick road to the Ridge Road to Borris Road to the Dublin Road. 

"This is absolutely vital infrastruction especially if we're being asked to zone more housing land by the Government," she said.

Cllr Ollie Clooney said "it's not fair, Laois is left behind. I think you have to win an All Ireland to get something good".

Fianna Fáil's Cllr Paddy Bracken of the same district, lives in Mountmellick and had the final word on the issue.

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"It's going on for years and still no progress. We are not in the plan. I'd love to know what money is going to Laois as part of the NDP. I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel for Mountmellick. I am here 22 years, i'ts vital. Our town is on a national secondary route. It's worse the traffic is getting. If you had a Healy Rae or a Lowry, that's what it's down to," Cllr Bracken said.

Laois County Council will now request the information from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure, Jack Chambers.